In a surprise announcement, TDS was honored with the NBC15 Share Your Holidays annual “Be Like Mike” award in mid-November.

“TDS is proud to be part of the NBC15 Share Your Holidays campaign—helping our community members who struggle with hunger,” says Al Ripp, market manager for TDS. “It’s part of our culture, part of our mission, to help the communities we serve. It’s truly an honor to receive this award. More importantly, we’re pleased to be able to help those in need.”

The NBC15 Share Your Holidays campaign brings together local businesses, individuals, and community groups to help fill the shelves at the Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. The award recognizes an individual or organization who gives extraordinary time and talent to the NBC15 Share Your Holidays campaign in the true spirit of working to end hunger. It’s named after the late Mike McKinney, campaign founder and NBC15 anchor in Madison, Wis., and Mike Hart, longtime coordinator of the Wisconsin National Guard volunteers and Share Your Holidays Grand Finale logistics.

TDS has been involved with the campaign since 2000, providing equipment for the day-long phone-a-thon. In addition, our employees volunteer to answer phones, help sort food, and host a food drive. And, in lieu of hosting a holiday party, TDS makes an annual donation to a local charity—as voted on by our employees. This year marks the fourth year in a row that Second Harvest has received the most votes—and TDS’ donation.